Google, Facebook and Microsoft have all made large investments to build large data center facilities in the state of Iowa. All three have also received multi-million dollar tax exemptions, rebates, and grants to entice them to come. In Part One of Iowa Public Radio’s data center series, we talked about why our state appeals to these Silicon Valley titans. Today, reporter Durrie Bouscaren visits Council Bluffs to ask, what’s in it for our state?

Politics

6:29 am

Fri February 15, 2013

Democrats in the Iowa Senate are upping the ante for property tax cuts, but agreement with Republicans still appears elusive. Both parties say commercial property tax relief is a high priority this year.

There’s consensus that commercial property taxes are disproportionately high. The latest Democratic plan, again helps small main street businesses more than large out of state corporations.

Des Moines Democrat Matt McCoy says a business in his own family is a good example:

Politics

11:30 pm

Sun January 20, 2013

Iowa lawmakers have completed the first week of the 2013 legislative session. They’ll return for the second week beginning Tuesday. IPR Morning Edition Host Sarah McCammon spoke with Statehouse Correspondent Joyce Russell about how the session is shaping up so far.